About This Treatment
Many cases of acid reflux can be successfully treated with lifestyle changes and medications. But when reflux is severe or persistent, you may need acid reflux surgery to control uncomfortable symptoms. Franciscan Health offers both conventional and minimally invasive surgeries to treat acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
How acid reflux surgery works
When you swallow, a muscular valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to let food into your stomach. The LES is located where the esophagus joins the stomach. It then closes to keep your stomach’s contents from coming back up.
During acid reflux surgery, your surgeon wraps a portion of the upper stomach around the lower esophagus to repair the LES.
A hiatal hernia commonly causes the LES to weaken. If a hiatal hernia is present, your surgeon will repair it at the same time.
Minimally invasive GERD surgery
Nissen fundoplication is the most common operation that doctors use to treat acid reflux. This surgery strengthens the LES, which prevents stomach acid from leaking into the esophagus.
At Franciscan Health, our comprehensive surgical options also include minimally invasive da Vinci® Nissen fundoplication.
The da Vinci® Nissen fundoplication procedure provides an alternative to traditional "open" or laparoscopic fundoplication surgery. Using the da Vinci® System, your surgeon:
- Makes a series of 1-2 centimeter incisions instead of the traditional long, pencil-sized abdominal incision
- Uses a specialized surgical camera and the surgical system's EndoWrist® instruments to clearly see anatomical structures and perform precise procedures
For most patients, da Vinci® Nissen fundoplication offers numerous benefits over traditional surgery, including:
- Faster recovery
- Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
- Less pain and scarring
- Less risk of wound infections
- Quicker return to normal activities
- Shorter hospital stay
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